XII 
THE KAVIRONDOS 
151 
The Kavirondo bury their dead in a grave dug in the 
middle of their own hut, but the habitation is not used 
again. A chief or other person of importance is buried 
in the floor of his own hut in a sitting position, with 
the head protruding just above the ground. The 
exposed head is covered with an earthenware pot and 
the principal wives watch it, until the ants have 
completely cleared the skull 
of flesh; the skeleton is then 
dug up and re-interred near 
at hand. (Johnston.) 
Those who know the Kavi- 
rondos best ascribe to them 
a higher code of morality 
than exists in other tribes 
inhabiting the East Africa 
Protectorate, especially those 
which make the greatest 
efforts to hide their naked¬ 
ness. Judging from inquiries 
I made on this matter it ap¬ 
peared to me that morality 
is a thing which has no 
meaning among Africans. 
It is an odd contrast to 
their complete nakedness 
that the men adorn their 
heads with circlets of 
hippopotamus ivory, tusks Kavirondo Milkmaid, 
of the wart-hogs, large tufts 
of black ostrich feathers, or the long tails of birds. 
They also construct hats of gigantic size which are worn 
on important occasions. These hats, made of basket- 
work plastered with clay, adorned with feathers, ante¬ 
lopes’ horns, and similar things, are sometimes six 
feet high. These fantastic head-dresses always interest 
travellers. 
